Atlanta Falcons: Biggest steal of the 2018 NFL draft

Atlanta Falcons: Biggest steal of the 2018 NFL draft

In this series, we’ll highlight the best bargain pick from every team in the 2018 NFL draft. Let’s keep things rolling with the Atlanta Falcons.

Isaiah Oliver | CB | Colorado

2nd round | 58th overall

I’m sure the Dirty Birds would have loved to fill their biggest needs with their first two picks, but they just couldn’t pass up the value of Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley in the first round, following by Oliver in the second.

While both could be viewed as luxury picks, the league’s best teams stay in postseason contention by taking the best available players instead of reaching to fill their more glaring needs. That’s what the Falcons did here, and it could pay huge dividends in 2018 and beyond.

Oliver is the perfect corner for the NFC South, which features big, physical pass-catchers like Mike Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Michael Thomas (New Orleans Saints) and Devin Funchess (Carolina Panthers). Oliver’s best traits? His combination of size, length and technique, which makes him one of the best press corners in this year’s class.

While his workout numbers didn’t light the world on fire, his well-rounded skill set and perfect fit for the Falcons’ annual opponents could easily make Oliver the most valuable cover man to come out of this year’s class. He’s a polished player who should make an immediate impact at a premier position, and that’s not something you typically land halfway through Day 2.